To Uncage a Lyon: The Lyon's Den Connected World

by Abigail Bridges

Is love possible when nothing goes according to plan?

Although they do not know each other, Lord Timothy Rydell and Lady Elspeth Westridge have something in they are happy with the plans for their lives. Timothy is having a grand time exploring the Americas and working with his cousin in business. Elspeth has settled into her life on the shelf, with her Royal Society lectures and her botanical experiments. Neither is interested in marriage or children.

Abruptly, both their lives are thrown into disarray. Elspeth’s father, frustrated with his daughter’s choices, arranges for her to marry a man more than twice her age, leaving her no other option. Timothy, summoned home by his mother for the king’s coronation, faces a season of marriage-minded mamas enthralled by his new wealth. In desperation, both turn to Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon for help, hoping that the Black Widow of Whitehall can solve their dilemmas—only to discover that she has selected Timothy as one of Elspeth’s marriage prospects.

Mrs. Dove-Lyon arranges three contests for the contenders—Elspeth agrees to marry the winner. But as the games get under way, Elspeth realizes that her heart is opening to the young explorer, and she begins to pray he will win.

Unbeknownst to Elspeth and Timothy, however, another party is manipulating events behind the scenes. And this game has been afoot for an exceptionally long time.

Tropes you'll Marriage of ConvenienceMatchmaker / Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s matchmaking schemesBluestocking HeroineReluctant Hero / Reluctant BrideForced Proximity / Competitions for LoveFound Family & Friendship CirclesAdventure Meets Society Romance
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132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

About the author

Abigail Bridges wrote her first historical romance, titled The Belle of the Ball, when she was thirteen. It was, of course, horrid. But it firmly established her love of all things Regency, a mild obsession with Georgette Heyer, and a determination to become a writer.

After a master’s degree in English and years of being paid to write and edit other types of material, she has returned to her first love. She is busily binge-reading all her favorite authors, resuming her study of the history and culture of the Regency era, and plotting like a madwoman. She does all this in a small cottage near Birmingham, Alabama.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within ten minutes of meeting Lady Elspeth Westridge, Lord Timothy Rydell will not forget her. Leaving England, he is sure she will be married before he can return. Six years later, Lady Elspeth is losing her independence. Her father is forcing her to marry a much older man. With the help of a friend, she has an invitation to meet Mrs. Dove-Lyon. Laying her problem at Mrs. Dove-Lyon's feet, Elspeth hopes for a husband willing to travel the world. Of course, Mrs. Dove-Lyon must have a competition to "pick" the right man. Timothy has already decided he is the right man.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming, slow-burn historical romance about two people who are perfectly content with their lives—until everyone else decides they shouldn’t be. I really enjoyed how both Timothy and Elspeth start the story determined not to fall in love. Timothy is off having adventures and making money, while Elspeth is happily living her bluestocking life with lectures and plants. Marriage is the last thing either of them wants, which made their situation feel both frustrating and funny.
The matchmaking angle was a highlight for me. Mrs. Dove-Lyon absolutely steals the show with her schemes, and the marriage contests added a playful twist that kept things moving. I loved watching Elspeth slowly realize her feelings and seeing Timothy’s reluctant hero energy soften as the competitions went on. Their relationship developed naturally, with lots of quiet moments, shared respect, and growing trust.
There’s also a nice sense of found family and a hint of something bigger happening behind the scenes, which added intrigue without overwhelming the romance. Overall, this was a sweet, clever story about love showing up when you least expect it—even when nothing goes according to plan. 
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review. 

[Gylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Elspeth Westridge is happy with her life as a spinster. She has no desire to marry or have children. She dreams of adventure and exploring the world.

Lord Timothy Rydell is the youngest of eleven children. He had no direction until a cousin took him to America with him. He is happy with his life and doesn’t plan to marry.

Elspeth’s father has had enough and decides she will marry the man he choose for her. She doesn’t want to marry someone so much older than her so she turns to Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon the Black Widow of Whitehall for help. Timothy’s mother has called him back home and is insisting it is time for him to marry. Timothy becomes one of Elspeth’s suitors when his brother points at that this maybe the answer to his dilemma. Will Elspeth and Timothy actually find true love with each other?

I loved reading this book!! This is the first book that I read from this author and I really enjoyed it!! I thought the book was fun, entertaining and very delightful. I liked how they both thought they didn’t want to marry, but decide they would be the one to choose their partner. I also liked how Timothy didn’t want to change Elspeth but wanted to help her and show her the world. I thought they were the perfect couple together. I highly recommend this book!!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Uncage a Lyon by Abigail Bridges is a novella that fulfills all the requirements of a Lyon’s Den story. Bessie Dove-Lyon is at her best, being on top of all London’s gossip, so she knows before either of them arrive what they are looking for and why. Plus each of them has a dear friend, now married to one another, that had dealt with Bessie. They had met, briefly, at the dock years earlier when Lady Elspeth had come to bid farewell to her friend, Ella, as she and her husband, and his cousin, Lord Timothy Rydell were leaving for America, where Gordon had made his fortune. It was a brief meeting and one neither ever forgot. Both sympathetic characters, Elspeth wishing to be a spinster if her perfect man didn’t appear, and Timothy, a younger son with no future. Gordon noticed the attraction but cautioned Timothy that Elspeth would no doubt be married by the time he returned to England. It turned out not to be the case, and after Elspeth reached out to the Widow of Whitehall at Ella’s urging, Timothy arrived to vie for her hand. Fun read.

I was invited to read To Uncage a Lyon by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AbigailBridges #ToUncageALyon

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Timothy Rydell and Lady Elspeth Westridge have something in they are happy with the plans for their lives. Timothy is having a grand time exploring the Americas and working with his cousin in business. Elspeth has settled into her life on the shelf, with her Royal Society lectures and her botanical experiments. Neither is interested in marriage or children. Abruptly, both their lives are thrown into disarray. Elspeth’s father, frustrated with his daughter’s choices, arranges for her to marry a man more than twice her age & Timothy, summoned home by his mother for the king’s coronation. In desperation, both turn to Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon for help.
Another good addition to the connected world & although a quick read it was enjoyable. I liked both Timothy & Elspeth, they’d met briefly when Elspeth’s best friend was departing for America with her new husband & Timothy was so taken with Elspeth that he fell off the gangplank. They meet years later on his return, I would have liked more chemistry between the couple but I did enjoy their road to a HEA
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Margaret Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Elspeth Westridge always knew she wanted to travel and explore the world. Her best friend, Ella married and moved to America and as she was sending them off at the docks, she first met Timothy Rydell, who is a cousin to Ella’s spouse. As they sailed away, Elspeth was jealous they were getting to travel and she was staying in England. Fast forward a few years and Elspeth is 30 years old, unmarried and being forced by her father to marry a much older peer, who despite having married, had children and buried 3 wives, was still wanting to have more children. Elspeth at the encouragement of Ella, turns to Bessie Dove Lyons to assist her in finding her ideal mate before her father is able to betroth her to the aging Lord Godwin. To Uncage a Lyon is a short and sweet novel where two people of like minds who are also attracted to each other meet again and after a series of challenges, agree to marry. Abigail Bridges is a new author to me and I look forward to reading more of her work.
I received an ARC from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening chapter of this book had me in stitches as the young Lady Elspeth vents her sorrow over the death of her hero. As a child, she was unconventional and became an even more eccentric adult, holding onto her dreams. Meeting a young Lord Timothy Rydell at the Falmouth Docks before he sets sail for the Americas had an impact on her, but hardly a lasting impression. He, on the other hand, never forgot Elspeth. Years later, under duress to marry at her father's insistence and for his convenience, Elspeth falls back on the invitation her good friend gave her to call on Bessie Dove-Lyon to find an alternative to her father's plans. Coming face-to-face with Timothy once again is an adventure in itself, but not before having to complete the challenges set before him by the Black Widow of Whitehall. The novel is short but sweet and comes to a delightful conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Timothy Rydell and Lady Elspeth Westridge Have met when they were much younger and Elspeth never forgot the handsome Lord who literally fell overboard for her!
Thru their mutual friend Ella they are back in touch after 6 years! Elspeth has been promised to an old obnoxious Lord to save her father’s finances!
Timothy never forgot her and doesn’t need her money! It’s strange to me that Timothy doesn’t want children!? He comes from a huge family that appear close and loving! His mother has her hands on the pulse of all of children’s lives! She definitely startled Timothy as she recited his assets and past behavior!
Elspeth got on my nerves sometimes she is a spinster and the fact that she was wavering back and forth about being miserable just to help her father!? Girl please.
But they both got what they wanted even if it involved a few trips to the Lyons Den! Bravo
I reviewed an ARC copy for my unbiased review!

[DD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elspeth has never wanted to marry or have children, her dream since childhood has been to be an explorer, and as she sees her best friend Eleanor leave for America with her new husband she's more than a little tempted to go. The highlight of the departure was meeting Timothy, her friends new cousin in law, there was a definite frisson.
Six years later, now thirty Elspeths father puts his foot down and announced her betrothed to a contemporary of his, and Elseth is horrified and terms to Mrs Dove-Lyon for a way to escape this marriage. But when Elspeth is provided w/o the the names of men to consider she's surprised to see Timothys name included. In Mrs Dove-Lyon 's way Timothy wins the games and they agree to marry.

Not sure what the attraction for Timothy is, he does its need her money, there'll be no children, and he's much younger than she is.

Another book all in one tone, it's all to easy, no suspense, nothing really happebs.

[Pat Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elsbeth is in dire need of help.She wants to travel desperately and the man her father has for her to marry is over twice her age.Timothy is an explorer and businessman who was enamored with Elsbeth at their first meeting . I enjoyed how the author weaved the tale over time, instead of within days. Timothy and Luke’s banter was fun and Mrs. Dove-Lyon is her best self in this one. What i did not care for was the overly descriptive text about what was in a room, down to the colors of each piece of furniture.. There is a difference between setting a scene and boring the reader. I detested the f-bomb use! It destroys a story for me and was not necessary in my estimation. Thus the four star rating. A quick read with real chemistry between the characters and a good plot.

I received this story for free and these are my own views.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the story of Timothy and Elspeth they meet as young people then many years later Elspeth is being forced into marriage by her parents so resorts to Mrs,Dove-lyon to find her a match that is more suitable than the aged suitors her parents are insisting on
In comes Timothy who has returned from America now,a wealthy man also to prevent his Mother forcing him to parade round all of the events on the marriage mart. Eventually they agree to marry each other and find that the meeting all those years ago they fell in love.
All of the characters annoyed me but it was a pleasant story
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade for my arc copy

[Tiffany P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella about two kindred spirits finding one another after a brief meeting six years prior. This was a typical story in the series with a game at the Den making the match even though there was a little more to this pairing. I really loved the main couple. They were likable characters that you wanted to see together. The story had supportive and controlling family, and a competition for a bride. It was sweet with one intimate scene after marriage. There was no villains or unnecessary obstacles to get to the HEA.

I received a copy of this novella from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley. I always enjoy the stories about the Lyon's Den. Elspeth has wanted adventure and travel to see the world since she was young. She went to see her friend off to America and the new husband's cousin was with them. Elspeth was so wishing she could go but she was the one to stay at home. Six years later her father has decided he has a husband for her and this nonsense is going to stop. Elspeth goes to see Mrs. Dove-Lyon to find a husband who will be younger than the one her father picked. Timothy has returned from America to get a bride. His brother tells him to see Mrs. Dove-Lyon and you can guess the rest.

[Petula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This visit to the Lyon's Den doesn't come until the second half of the book.
Our intelligent heroine made up her mind as a child the only type of man she would marry. Unfortunately by the time her parents lose patience with her, not one has measured up.
Our hero might be the son of a duke. but as he has so many big brothers, he must make his own fortune.
A very entertaining story, with a lovely little surprise at the end.
Good fun.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only person who could put together the matching of Timothy and Elspeth is none other than Mrs. Dove-Lyon, and once again it’s a perfect match. Its a sweet story, that is well written and very entertaining in that I read it in one sitting.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebekah Carulli Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome

I just love the Lyon’s Den connected world! Even with all the books in the series they never become redundant or stale. Bessie Dove-Lyon is my kind of woman in a society that included a lot of judgments. The Lyon’s Den is filled with books written by some of the most talented writers of today.

[Mahnoor Lasania · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only person who could put together the matching of Timothy and Elspeth is none other than Mrs. Dove-Lyon, and once again it’s a perfect match. Its a sweet story, that is well written and very entertaining in that I read it in one sitting.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous and fun romcom with some good vibes and great characters, as well as a pleasant story. 5 stars. tysm for the arc. would recommend.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Dove-Lyon's book by this author. Evenly paced and with a sweet plot. Characters are lovely and overall very entertaining.

[Jean H. Kromeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story in the Lyon's Den series.